Overview
Opened in 1880, this roughly 500-hectare park (660+ including temple grounds) is the very stage of Nara sightseeing. Its 1,200-odd deer, long revered as messengers of the Kasuga deity, show no fear of people — buy the dedicated shika-senbei crackers (JPY 200 a bundle) and watch them bow for a treat. Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Taisha and the Nara National Museum all lie within the grounds, and the lawns, ponds and hills change character with every season.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours, year-round
🚇 Getting there
5 minutes on foot from Kintetsu-Nara Station; 20 minutes from JR Nara (or 10 by bus).
⏱️ How long to visit
About 2-3 hours; a full day with the temples.
🌅 Best time to visit
Misty early mornings and late-autumn foliage make the most photogenic deer scenes; fawns born in early summer appear from July.
Travel Tips
Don't dither with crackers in hand or you'll be mobbed — hand them over quickly. Deer will eat the paper wrapper too, so stash trash immediately. Mornings, when the deer are calmer, are best for feeding.
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🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Nara, Japan from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Japan on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Nara on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Nara with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Nara 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Nara Park
Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.
Things to Do in Nara
Deer Feeding in Nara Park
Buy shika-senbei and feed the bowing deer — the essential Nara experience. Morning deer are gentlest for first-timers.
Kimono Rental Stroll
Rent a kimono and wander the park, temples and Naramachi lanes — kimono photos with deer are a Nara exclusive.
Naramachi Lanes & Machiya Tour
Stroll the latticed machiya lanes hung with charm monkeys, linking Koshi-no-Ie, Gango-ji and craft cafes in the old quarter.